Post-Galaxy Ecosystems Can Slow Climate Change

• A ten-year study suggests post-glacial ecosystems can slow down climate change.
• The study, published in Nature, suggests that deglaciation may accelerate climate change by reducing surface reflectivity and releasing stored carbon.
• The research, led by professors Gentile Francesco Ficetola from the University of Milan and Silvio Marta from Italy’s Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, shows how ecosystems develop in glacial retreat areas.
• The study collected over 1,200 soil samples from nearly fifty glaciers worldwide.
• Microorganisms colonize the barren landscape immediately after glacier retreat, making minerals available for other species.
• Within a decade, hardy plants like lichens, mosses, and grass start to establish, enriching the soil and providing temporary habitats for species threatened by climate change.